The High Court in Accra has affirmed the regulatory powers of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) to enforce its directives and ordered a shipping service provider, MSG Freight and Cargo Services, to comply with a directive to refund excess charges to a shipper.
The ruling, delivered on July 8, 2026, followed a case involving the GSA and Maxwell Edzeame, proprietor of MSG Freight & Cargo Services, in Suit No. GJ/0593/2026.
According to the GSA, the case arose after MSG Freight & Cargo Services failed to apply the applicable commercial exchange rate of its commercial bankers, resulting in excess storage charges being paid by a shipper.
The Authority subsequently directed MSG, a consolidator, to refund the excess amount to the affected shipper.
However, the company did not comply with the directive, prompting the GSA to seek enforcement through the court.
The High Court, relying on Section 47 of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), directed MSG Freight & Cargo Services to comply with the GSA’s refund order.
The GSA said the decision reinforces its regulatory mandate under Act 1122 to protect the interests of shippers and other stakeholders in Ghana’s shipping and logistics sector.
It also said the ruling underscores the obligation of service providers to comply with lawful regulatory directives issued by the Authority.
The GSA has consequently reminded service providers in the shipping and logistics industry to comply with applicable regulatory directives governing charges and commercial transactions with shippers.
The Authority warned that where a service provider imposes charges contrary to applicable statutory directives, it will take appropriate regulatory measures in accordance with the law.
The GSA said it remains committed to promoting transparency, predictability, fairness and consistency in shipping and logistics transactions, adding that it will continue to enforce the regulatory framework to protect the legitimate interests of all stakeholders in the sector.
By: Bernard Mensah
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